How hard it often was for me to strike
you with the whip, when I would have rather taken your head and
covered it with kisses. But now we are through with that, aren't we?
I have played my cruel role better than you expected, and now you
will be satisfied with my being a good, little wife who isn't
altogether unattractive. Isn't that so? We will live like rational
people--"
"You will marry me!" I cried, overflowing with happiness.
"Yes--marry you--you dear, darling man," whispered Wanda, kissing my
hands.
I drew her up to my breast.
"Now, you are no longer Gregor, my slave," said she, "but Severin,
the dear man I love--"
"And he--you don't love him?" I asked in agitation.
"How could you imagine my loving a man of his brutal type? You were
blind to everything, I was really afraid for you."
"I almost killed myself for your sake."
"Really?" she cried, "ah, I still tremble at the thought, that you
were already in the Arno."
"But you saved me," I replied, tenderly. "You hovered over the
waters and smiled, and your smile called me back to life."
* * * * *
I have a curious feeling when I now hold her in my arms and she lies
silently against my breast and lets me kiss her and smiles. I feel
like one who has suddenly awakened out of a feverish delirium, or
like a shipwrecked man who has for many days battled with waves that
momentarily threatened to devour him and finally has found a safe
shore.
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